Sports Bras That Support With Style (and Without the Uniboob)

While there's nothing wrong with having a uniboob, it's always nice every once in awhile to girl it up a bit. After all, I don't know how many times I've wished I had a little more padding and a nicer-cut sports bra when I've run to the grocery store after hitting the gym and am all sweaty, and because I'm in the freezer aisle, my, ahem, ladies are "at attention." That's why we tested two bras that are both functional and fashionable...with separation of the uni-boob and some cushion to keep the unmentionables a little less noticeable.

Le Mystere 320 Energie Sport Bra

It looks and feels like a normal bra, but packs a sports-bra surprise. You wouldn't think by looking at the picture, but the inner mesh-like fabric wicks. After a two-mile run and weight training I was still good to go.

There's a rub, though. While I thought I'd love having actual curves in the gym, I felt super self-conscious. First of all, I'm not used to the girls looking like girls in the gym. Plus, I tried the white version of the bra so it felt like I was wearing a granny bra under my tank top. At $62.00 a pop, I'm glad it's a multi-purpose over-the-shoulder boulder holder. It's definitely something you could wear from work to workout, which makes the price tag a little easier to swallow. Caveat emptor! (let the buyer beware) if your boobies are the first to shrink when you start shedding the pounds, this ain't the one for you.

Nike Rebel Sports Bra 

What I like most about this Nike sports bra is the back. It's unique, gorgeous and totally supportive. Plus, it has adjustable shoulder and back straps so you can really customize the fit to you. It's made of Dri-FIT, so it wicks sweat away, but it has a light-weight jersey feel to it so it's still soft, comfortable and doesn't chafe, even when running, playing soccer or doing other strenuous activities. And with a little bit of padding in the front, you're less likely to need a jacket post-workout.  Woot!

What I liked least about the bra though was the fit in the front. The back was a perfect fit, but as a medium with a broader chest but a normal B cup-size, I felt that the front area was a tad too big, and my boobs had way too much room to move around. I really wish that Nike offered different chest and cup sizes to better accommodate this as most ladies are rarely a uniform small, medium or large up-top. However, Nike has a pretty elaborate sports bra sizing chart with options for the kind of fit you want, so just be sure to measure yourself before ordering. The Rebel is pretty pricey at $60, but it's nice enough quality that you know you'll wear it for years.

Read more: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/sports-bras-that-support-with-style-and-without-the-uniboob-2516369/







 

What Your Weight Says About Your Personality

If you’re trying to lose weight, now would be a very good time for some personality adjustments. According to a new study, those of us with impulsive traits are most likely to be overweight. In fact, people who scored the highest in hasty behaviors weighed an average of 22 pounds more than their cautious counterparts.

Researchers from the National Institute on Aging looked at data from nearly 2,000 people over the course of 50 years to determine how personality traits are associated with weight and body mass index. Their conclusions, published in theJournal of Personality and Social Psychology, found greater weight gain among impulsive people, those who enjoy taking risks and those who are cynical, competitive and aggressive.

Individuals with this constellation of traits tend to give in to temptation and lack the discipline to stay on track amid difficulties or frustration. To maintain a healthy weight, it is typically necessary to have a healthy diet and a sustained program of physical activity, both of which require commitment and restraint. Such control may be difficult for highly impulsive individuals.

A revelation that might just make sense if you’re looking at a compulsive eater, but let’s not confuse the issue. Not all impulsive, aggressive, risk-takers are destined to become overweight. I happen to know many people who I would consider impulsive–myself included–and none of us are at unhealthy weights. In fact, most of us are healthy, physically fit individuals. We just happen to channel our impulsive behaviors towards athletic endeavors, not food.

Read more: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/what-your-weight-says-about-your-personality-2515507/

Free pot in exchange for registering to vote?

A medical marijuana shop's offer of free pot in exchange for registering to vote appears to have gone up in smoke. Your Healthy Choice Clinic of Lansing, Mich., had been offering a half gram on its website ahead of a vote for city council seats and after the council approved capping the number of medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits and setting a $1,000 application fee.

Clinic owner Shekina Pena earlier said she wasn't trying to buy votes. "We really got to fight to get the voters out there because the polls are showing there's 4-5,000 people in Lansing that are patients or caregivers," she told NBC affiliate WILX TV. "So we need those 4-5,000 people to come forth to the polls and vote for whomever they feel is in support of what they want for access."

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43928025/ns/us_news-life/

Cops: Man killed girlfriend, lived with corpse

Really?

PHOENIX — An Arizona man confessed to killing his girlfriend and living with her decomposing corpse in his one-bedroom apartment for two months, police said.

Erik C. Grumpelt, 35, was arrested on Monday and charged with second-degree murder, the Mesa Police Department said in a news release.

Police said he told them he had repeatedly struck his girlfriend, Malinda Raya, 39, in the lower abdomen after she said she had cheated on him.

Officers discovered the woman's badly decomposed body on the bedroom floor of the apartment, covered in several sheets.

There were several room fresheners found in the bedroom, and powder, believed to be carpet freshener, was sprinkled on the area around where the victim lay.

Grumpelt told investigators he assaulted Raya on the morning of May 19, striking her several times in the lower abdominal area while laying on their bed, police said. He left for a short period of time and when he returned, she was unresponsive, according to investigators.

Grumpelt said he was angry because Raya had told him she had cheated on him with other men in his bed, police said.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43913674/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

To All Motorcyclists:

As a driver in a car, I always make sure to be very safe near motorcyclists.  You guys make me, and most people on the road, very nervous because you are just you on a bike and not in a rolling box like the rest of us.  But when I see you weaving between cars, one lane to another, I find myself wanting to say a prayer.  And then I have to stop and think....if you don't have enough respect for yourself, why am I the one that is worried about your life?  Be respectful of us as we do for you!!! 

To the guy on the motorcycle that was weaving in traffic this morning at 6:30am, you should have left the house earlier if you wanted to drive at top speed.  The rest of us want to enjoy our last few minutes before work with our morning coffee!

Thank you,
Aimee

How fatty foods brighten a bad mood?

A bowl of ice cream. A giant serving of mac 'n' cheese. A plate of chocolate chip cookies. We already know that fatty, comfort foods can help bust a bad mood -- but new research from Belgian researchers gives new insight into why.

Turns out, there may be more at play here than the visual, psychological effects of seeing the ice cream (or the pasta, or the cookies, or -- insert your go-to comfort food here). The study, led by Dr. Lukas Van Oudenhove of the University of Leuven and just published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggests that it's the fatty acid itself in those foods that works to decrease sad emotions.

Researchers recruited 12 healthy, non-obese volunteers, who were studied the morning after a 12-hour fast. Each individual underwent four 40-minute fMRI scans. Here's where it gets kind of lab-rat-like: The participants were hooked up to a gastric feeding tube that administered 250 milliliters of either fatty acid or a saline solution. But three minutes before they were given the intragastric infusion, researchers played the volunteers 11 pieces of sad classical music, of 1-minute duration each. At the same time, 10 sad faces were projected onto a screen in front of the volunteers.

Without knowing they'd just been gotten a hit of fatty acid, right to the gut, those volunteers reported feeling 50 percent less sad than the ones who got the salt solution. The researchers also found that the infusion of the fat solution to the stomach lessened the behavioral and nerve cell responses to sad emotions. As Van Oudenhove explains, the novelty of this study is that the researchers believe it was the first to determine that fatty acid itself works to brighten a bad mood -- even without the visual cues that come from seeing a cheeseburger or a cupcake.

OK, but it's still a lot more fun to indulge in your favorite foods when you're sad. What's your favorite comfort food?

Read more: http://bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/07/22/7144602-how-fatty-foods-brighten-a-bad-mood

Gold Digging 101: School Offers Course for Girls on How to Marry Rich Men

If it's just as easy to fall in love with someone rich as someone poor, then not all girls in Beijing, China, have gotten the message. Some of them are paying $3,000 for a 30-hour course at the Moral Education Center for Women that teaches “techniques to make them more attractive, from how to put on make-up in the most flattering way to how to spot a liar by looking at his facial expressions?” Girls also brush up on how to read a man’s character, hone their conversational and traditional skills, and get pointers on pouring tea.

Wealthy, eligible bachelors spend around $4,500 as an introductory fee to meet girls who complete the course. The school boasts that there have been 30 matches that resulted in marriage.

According to Reuter's,  the school’s founder, Shao Tong, said the school encourages women to become “the best they can be by giving them a goal.” China is said to have an increasingly affluent middle class.

“We are nurturing internal qualities and developing potential,” said Shao Tong. “But if I were to advertise the school saying I would like to teach you how to build a good family and to better yourself, lots of girls would rule it out because they feel that they are agreeable and qualified enough. So then I thought, why not be more straightforward by saying: do you want to marry a rich man?”

In some ways, the matchmaking part seems not so different than an offline or online dating service in which people are paired according to their shared interests (in this case their common bond would be the love of money, I suppose). And the school seems not much different than an old-fashioned finishing school, I guess.

Read more: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/gold-digging-101-school-offers-course-for-girls-on-how-to-marry-rich-men-2514419/

Do women need their own brand of beer?

Ahhh, beer!  While it welcomes all who’d care to bask in its golden glow, beer is still widely perceived to be the beverage of choice for men, be they sweaty, knuckle-dragging cro-magnons, pompous hops-huffing hobbyists or pop-collared frat brothers. Whether that belief is actually founded or not is questionable. I, for one, know plenty of ladies who fancy a pint. But Molson Coors is aiming at attracting more females to the keg party by launching a new line of brews tailored specifically to women.

According to the UK's Marketing Magazine, Molson Coors’ Animee will be a “less gassy and lighter tasting” alternative to conventional beers. After two-and-a-half years of researching “women’s relationship with beer,” the American brewery will be releasing Animee – which will come in three versions (standard, rose and citrus) – in the UK later this summer.

What say you, ladies? Would you be more inclined to drink a beer that appealed to your feminine sensibilities? Or is the notion that a beer has to be girlified before a woman will consider it insulting?



Read more: http://bites.today.com/_news/2011/07/21/7134284-do-women-need-their-own-brand-of-beer

Would you wear a bridal bikini?

After wearing the dress of your dreams on your wedding day, isn’t a girl entitled to the bikini of her dreams for her honeymoon?

Brides often say it all went by in a flash, after all. Why not stretch out the wedding-wear to the honeymoon? Designer Angela Chittenden thinks this is a great idea. So much so that her swimsuit brand, Beach Bunny Swimwear, debuted Beach Bunny Bride, the first-ever bridal bathing suit line, at Fashion Week Swim 2012 in Miami this week.

Sure, a one- and two-piece adorned with hand-beaded pearls, Chantilly lace, and Swarovski crystals is a little, you know, over-the-top (not to mention really hard to swim in.

Most weird of all, however, was Sports Illustrated Swimsuit siren Kate Upton walking the catwalk wearing a sexy “wedding dress” bikini clearly meant for the aisle: She paired it with a multi-strand pearl necklace, heels and a veil.

Here comes the bride, (barely) dressed in white.

Read more: http://thelook.today.com/_news/2011/07/19/7113560-would-you-wear-a-bridal-bikini

Things you can tell about a man by looking at him

According to research from all over the globe, you can tell a lot about a man just by looking at him. Yep, you can actually figure out how long he'll last in bed by the size of his belly, or how compassionate he is based on the shape of his nose. Gathering data from scientists, medical doctors and engineers, The UK's Mirror has compiled this list of characheristics to help you decipher if you're with a quality guy.

• Hefty men make for longer lovers. Maybe skinny dudes eat less, and are all weak or something, but the real reason seems to be, heavier men have more female hormones, and more female hormones makes it easier for them to go the distance.  This study shows that large lovers last over 5 minutes longer than skinny guys.

• Wide faced men have bigger cheating hearts. Not only are wide faced men more aggressive, but the are more likely to lie.

• When it comes to a sign of intelligence, bald men are smarter. Their average IQ is 4 points above their full-head-of-hair counterparts. 

• Speaking of hair, guys with thick, dark eyebrows are not only friendlier, but they're nicer to their friends. A guy with messy eyebrows is likely a mess in real life, too. 

• Green eyes may be sexy, and blue eyes most desirable, but brown eyed men make the best family guys. 

• His nose knows what type of person he is. Long and wide noses are a sign of creativity and passion. Snub nosed men make for more attentive partners. The more turned up the nose, the more adventurous he'll be in bed.

• But one thing you still can't tell is the size of his junk. No matter how big his feet or the distance between fingers, until you actually see his penis, you won't know the thick, or the thin, of that one.

Read more: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/things-you-can-tell-about-a-man-by-looking-at-him-2513427/

Can Growing Up in a 'Broken Home' Ruin You For the Game of Love?

Being raised in a single home may affect the way you feel about love. 

A friend of mine once said, “The hardest woman to love is one without a father, because she is expecting the man to leave”. I grew up in a fatherless home surrounded by women who love and support me. I noticed the friends who were raised in a two-parent household shared different views about love and relationships. As a single woman who was raised in a single parent home, I’m more carefree and independent, which leads me to think differently about dating or a relationship. However, a few of my friends who were raised in a two-parent household are more dependent, and have more patience when it comes to sustaining a relationship.

Most young girls first love is her father, and is ideally the man she would compare her own husband, too. Without a father around who will she use as a model for her own future husband? This is where the “carefree” cycle begins, and unfortunately becomes harder to end, as the girl gets older. Although love is important, independence is more appealing.

How can one model their life for true love without a home example? I’ve learned that it takes more patience and more effort than what I’ve been putting into my relationships. In the past, I'dl expect the worst, but hope for the best. I thought this was a good approach, but in reality doing the same things over expecting a different result is insanity.

Unfortunately, the missing void in your heart from a single home can never be replaced, but doesn’t have to model your own life. Instead of reflecting back to what’s happened in the past, try and focus on starting a new beginning for yourself. End the cycle and open your heart for the pursuit of happiness and love will shortly follow.

Read more: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/can-growing-up-in-a-broken-home-ruin-you-for-the-game-of-love-2513403/

Katy Perry Leads Pack of MTV Video Music Award Nominees With Nine Nods

Katy Perry's "Firework" had enough sparks to help her claim a leading nine MTV Video Music Award nominations, including video of the year.

Perry -- who hosted the network's Wednesday night special announcing the nominations -- was also nominated for best female video for "Firework," and best pop video for "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)."

Adele tied Kanye West with seven nominations. The best-selling Brit will compete with Perry for top video with "Rolling in the Deep." Others in the category include the Bestie Boys for "Make Some Noise"; rapper Tyler, the Creator for "Yonkers"; and Bruno Mars for "Grenade."

Mars was nominated for four Moonman trophies. Other multiple nominees include Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Eminem.

The VMAs will air live from Los Angeles on Aug. 28.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/07/21/katy-perry-leads-pack-mtv-video-music-award-nominees-with-nine-nods/#ixzz1SkcRQCG3

In case you haven't seen Katy Perry's, ""Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," which really IS the best video of the year, watch it here: http://vevo.ly/jWqkWC

How to Create a Perfect Guest Room

Spring for Great Bedding: "High-quality linens are essential," says decorator Amanda Nisbet, who favors Sferra sheets. "They're divinely soft and wear well--people always tell me how great they feel." Arrange a cozy throw near the footboard to add color and texture to the room. "Design a guest room with the same care as you would your own personal bedroom. Above all, your visitors should feel wanted in your home and instantly at ease."

Leave a Sweet Treat: Indulge your lucky guest with a beautiful little box of chocolates. "It's a tiny gesture that delights everyone," she says. If you know you'll be having consecutive weekend visitors, buy several boxes at a time and keep a stash on hand.

Lay Out a Luxe Robe: "Guests never bother to pack one, so they always appreciate a robe," says Nisbet, who prefers a white cotton wrap. Fold it neatly and display it on the bed to let your guest know it's freshly laundered and at her disposal.

Find a Photo: If a close friend is coming, dig up an old picture of the two of you—on a trip, perhaps, or from childhood--pop it in a pretty frame, and put it on the dresser.

Lead Them to Water: Place a chic carafe near the bed for middle-of-the-night sips (so there's no need for stumbling around in the dark in an unfamiliar home).

Spread the News!: "Leave a few can't-put-'em-down magazines, from fashion titles to guilty-pleasure tabloids, in the room," says Nisbet. "If there's a book you think a guest may enjoy, include that in the mix."

Luggage Stand: Luggage rack gives your guest a sturdy place to set your suitcase while they pack or unpack. When not in use, the luggage rack folds and slides under the bed or into a closet for easy storage.

Try It Out: Spend a night in your guest room--it's the best way to gauge the comfort level. After this firsthand experience, you may realize that, say, a softer pillow or a sunlight-blocking window shade is what the room needs.

Read more: http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-home/room-design/staticslideshowinstyle.aspx?cp-documentid=29491011&gt1=32067

Best Hollywood Legs

Pipes, pins, gams... whatever you call them, women's legs have long been attention-getters. Whether they're lean and lithe or feminine and firm, these stems represent the sexiest legs of then and now.

Marilyn Monroe

Jennifer Lopez

Audrey Hepburn

Paris Hilton

Read more: http://glo.msn.com/beauty/great-legs-7185.gallery?gt1=49006

Retire Overseas on $1,200 a Month

Easy Living Abroad

Retiring abroad isn't for everyone or even for most people. But the adventurous can find comfortable, even luxurious lifestyles in many places that cost them far less than what they would pay at home, said Kathleen Peddicord, the author of "How to Retire Overseas: Everything You Need to Know to Live Well (For Less) Abroad."

I asked Peddicord, who has written about living and retiring overseas for more than 25 years, to pick out five cities where a couple could retire comfortably on the typical U.S. Social Security check of $1,200 a month. Access to good medical care is a must, of course, and all five places on Peddicord's list offer it, as well as low crime rates and emerging communities of expatriates to help show you the ropes.

Cuenca, Ecuador

Peddicord calls Cuenca "the most affordable place you'd want to live in Latin America." There may be cheaper locales, but in her view they're too far removed from the conveniences and amenities of a city.

Cuenca has the colonial charm of cobblestone streets and soaring cathedrals as well as a mild climate and plenty of cultural happenings. Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its currency, so you don't have to worry about disadvantageous exchange rates.

Peddicord has a friend who lives there for less than $1,200 a month, including $550 in rent and fees for a 2,600-square-foot apartment with a doorman and underground parking. If you're willing to make do without those amenities, Peddicord said, you could rent a smaller, 600-square-foot "local"-style apartment in an older building for $100 a month.

If you were to buy a home with cash -- say, from the sale of your current home -- you could live comfortably for $700 a month, including utilities, groceries and entertainment, Peddicord said. Hiring full-time household help would add about $200 to the bill.

Las Tablas, Panama

If you want oceanfront living, check out Las Tablas, which Peddicord said is a nice little beach town on the Pacific coast of the Azuero Peninsula. Panama has significant advantages for expats, including the fact that it's a tax haven (even Americans can live there tax-free), the country encourages foreigners to settle there by making it easy to acquire residency, and its infrastructure is well-developed. Those advantages have led to an influx of foreigners that has helped drive up the cost of living in the nation's biggest city, Panama City, but Las Tablas is still relatively undiscovered.

"There's an emerging community of expats living here, and (Las Tablas has) all services and resources you'd need to live very comfortably," Peddicord said. "Your budget could be as little as $1,000 per month. . . .

You can rent a little two-bedroom house within five minutes' walk of the beach for as little as $350 a month."
Utilities average $200 a month and food $300, while $80 is a reasonable entertainment budget. Full-time household help costs $150.

Penang, Malaysia

Peddicord called Malaysia the best option in Asia for full-time retirement living, because it's the only country in Asia that makes it easy for foreign retirees to gain full-time residency. Income from foreign sources is tax-free, and foreigners are allowed to buy real estate (which isn't a given elsewhere). Malaysia is also determined to become a "first world" country by 2020, which means it's investing in infrastructure, including modern divided highways and convenient airports. Health care is considered good, with a thriving trade of "health tourists" who come to save money on surgical procedures and other treatments.

"This country is a melting pot and very international, with good infrastructure and great food," Peddicord said. But Penang is the cheaper of the two big expat centers (the other is Kuala Lumpur). About $1,200 a month "buys a comfortable life here," covering an $800 rental apartment and $100 each for food, utilities and entertainment, Peddicord said. Full-time household help would set you back about $130 a month.

Read more: http://money.msn.com/retirement-plan/retire-overseas-on-12k-a-month-weston.aspx?cp-documentid=6809719&GT1=33042

To All the Britney Spears Haters Out There

I know that I'm pretty biased to all of the issues regarding Britney Spears because I love her so much.  I love her, not only because she's a native Louisianian or that she puts on one hell of a show, because she's always been a very talented girl.  She's grown up on stage in front of all of us, and because of that different from upbringing, she's had very public downfalls and scrutiny.  Here's the latest bogus article along with a terribly horrific picture.

Britney Spears Was Disgusting and On Drugs, Former Employee Claims

Britney Spears is a "Toxic" boss. A former cop who worked for Spears claims the singer made his life a living hell -- sexually harassing him, doing drugs and failing to shower for days, according to a new report.

Fernando Flores, who worked as a bodyguard for the pop princess last year, has sued Spears' conservators for $10 million alleging a series of complaints, including sexual harassment. Flores alleges that he faced a series of unwanted advances from the 29-year-old Britney, who "paraded naked in front of him and often beckoned him into her bedroom for sex," according to RadarOnline.com and Star magazine. 

He also claims the pop superstar used drugs including methamphetamines and medicine used to treat heroin or morphine overdoses. In the lawsuit, the former bodyguard claims Spears was a rude boss -- farting, picking her nose "unapologetically" and failed to shower for days. "Spears was generally personally unkempt," according to the suit.

Lawyers for Spears have filed a motion saying the allegations are false.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/07/20/britney-spears-was-disgusting-and-on-drugs-former-employee-claims/#ixzz1SerQUkKD

Am I the only one who thinks that this guy just wants a handout?  Who in this entire world wouldn't want a piece of Britney Spears?  Doesn't she have a song "Piece of Me" for exactly that reason?  This guy probably was hurt and upset that Britney fired him and didn't get to have one last shot with the "Princess of Pop," Ms. Britney Spears!

10 Childish Things It's Still OK to Like

1. Young Adult Fiction: So what if Edward Cullen makes you swoon? Twilight, The Hunger Games and Harry Potter are all marked Young Adult, but that doesn’t mean you can’t curl up with your favorite indulgence. These stories can be creative, breathtaking and suspenseful. Plus, they’re all current or soon-to-be blockbuster movies full of hot stars. You have to keep up on pop culture!

2. Pop music: Frivolous pop music transports us back to a time with NKOTB, ‘NSYNC and Backstreet Boys ruled the airways.You liked pop then, and guess what? You like pop now. Might as well embrace it and admit that you know all of the words to the latest Justin Bieber track (and you might also happen to know who he’s dating, the name of his manager, when he last got his haircut. . .).

3. Bows in your hair: If there’s anything Kate Middleton has taught us, it’s that dressing up your hair is a must. Headbands, bows and barrettes never go out of style. It’s a great way to make your look extra girly, and therefore, extra cute.

4. Macaroni and cheese: As you grow up, your taste buds mature. But sometimes nothing hits the spot like a bowl of mac 'n cheese. It’s easy-to-make, cheap and requires little clean up. While it’s not something you should have everyday, it’s a good option for a girl in a time crunch on a limited budget!

5. Swinging: Playing on the swings at the park is a fond memory for a lot of people. Why not move that into adulthood? Find a set of swings and head there with girlfriends or your guy. You’ll be sure to find yourself giggling and panting—swinging can be a great core workout!

6. The Disney Channel: We owe those mouse ears a big thank you for introducing us to Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Ryan Gosling and Zac Efron. The frivolous, goodtime programming found on Disney is always wholesome and reminds us of a simpler time.

7. Capri Sun: Designed mostly for kids on the go, this handy, delicious juice drink always hits the spot. Plus, the small portion guarantees you won’t get your daily sugar via juice. If you can stop at one juice pack, that is.

8. Cartoons: Need to zone out on a Saturday morning? Check out cartoons. Easy-to-follow storylines are appreciated on lazy weekend mornings. And on that note, notice how a lot of movies are based on comics. Also OK to like.

9. Being spoiled by parents: Yeah, you don’t want mom and dad paying all of your bills, but if they want to spoil you every now and then with a great dinner, what’s to stop them? Having your mom come over with soup when you don’t feel well or having your dad fix your broken car are guaranteed to make you feel loved. Double points if it’s your grandparents.

10. Shirley Temples: Out with the girls and want a frou frou drink sans the hangover? Order a Shirley Temple. And order it proudly. This simple mix of lemon-lime soda and cherry grenadine is super yummy. And as you eat the cherry, people will be jealous.

Read more: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/user-post-10-childish-things-its-still-ok-to-like-2512791/

5 Reasons We're Prettier (and Healthier) in the Summertime

Your sex drive improves. The pineal gland in the middle of the brain secretes melatonin, a chemical that helps us sleep and blocks sex hormones. Long, bright summer days cause a decrease in melatonin, resulting in ramped up sex drives. The evolutionary benefit? Babies are more likely to be born in the spring, allowing them to grow a bit before dealing with the harsh challenges of winter. Research shows that a healthy sex life does a body good by reducing stress and boosting the immune system.

You get a dose of the sunshine vitamin. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet B ray can damage DNA and cause painful sunburns. However, UVB rays also kick start the chemical and metabolic reaction that produces vitamin D. Research indicates we get more of the sunshine vitamin during the summer. Vitamin D helps boost calcium and phosphorous absorption from food, and to improve bone development and health, immune function and blood cell formation. Low levels of vitamin D have also been linked to several chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis and colon cancer, so higher levels may help lower the chances of getting these diseases. But don’t use this as an excuse to hit the tanning salon or forgo sunscreen. According to the World Health Organization, all you need is a mere five to 15 minutes of sun exposure two to three times per week to keep your D levels on the up and up.

Sunshine helps beat the winter blahs. Several studies have demonstrated that serotonin levels, also known as the happiness hormone, climb when people get more and brighter sunlight. A 2002 study found that people exposed to ultraviolet light (specifically UVA) had markedly higher levels of serotonin and lower levels of sleep-regulating melatonin and reported feeling more balanced, less nervous and more confident. Many researchers believe that light exposure can wane away any lingering winter blues come June. Although some recent research questions whether peoples’ moods really do change seasonally or if it’s just a myth, talk to anyone who lives through harsh winters year after year and he or she will likely tell you that long summer days do wonders for wellbeing.

Your skin glows. Cold, dry winter air strips skin of its moisture, and can send many a complexion into an irritation spiral. Summer’s high humidity keeps skin hydrated and glowing. Ultraviolet light—in moderation, of course—can also be beneficial. UV light suppresses an overactive immune system, which can help clear up conditions like psoriasis. Clearer, more moisturized skin is a surefire way to enhance your looks.

You have healthier eating habits. According to Dr. Oz, increased levels of serotonin that come from longer, brighter daylight hours in the summer may help suppress your appetite. This may be because sunshine boosts your mood, eliminating cravings for fattening comfort foods. On the flip side, studies show that people who eat in dim light, which is more common in the winter, are more likely to linger over their food, which can cause overeating.

Read more: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/5-reasons-were-prettier-and-healthier-when-its-warm-2512582/;_ylt=AuscuqW46TeWIrDs.AEyPwVabqU5

5 Ways to Create Your Own Weight Loss Success Story

1.)    Set small, quantifiable goals: Focus on checkpoints instead of getting to the finish line. Small and quantifiable goals will keep you from becoming discouraged.

2.)    Focus on gratitude: Live each day with gratitude for your health.

3.)    Stick with it… even through plateaus: Make smart choices daily. Your long-term success plan involves the acknowledgement that you will reach a plateau; you just have to push through it.

4.)    Make sure others are watching: Make sure your friends, family and coworkers are aware of your weight loss goals.  Sharing your goals with others creates accountability and is a key to success.

5.)    Celebrate small successes: The secret to achieving big picture goals is counting the little successes and checking your food choices against the desired outcome.  Your small successes will fuel you for MORE success!    

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/blog/blog/5-success-story-insights/#ixzz1SZSsnouj

Fact of the Day! 5 Foods That Curb Your Appetite

1. Soup: Water is actually the ultimate appetite suppresser, but having a glass doesn’t satisfy the desire to eat or taste something. A great alternative is soup. High in water and low in calories, broths or vegetable soups (avoid the creamy kinds) can help you reach your weight-loss goal. In fact, researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that men and women who consumed two servings of low-calorie soup per day lost 50 percent more weight than counterparts who consumed the same amount of calories in snacks!

2. Pine Nuts: While all nuts are generally considered healthy, hunger-fighting snacks, pine nuts may be the best. They contain pinolenic acid, a polyunsaturated fat (a good kind of fat also found in olive oil and wild salmon) that stimulates hunger-suppressing hormones in the body.  In a study presented at the 2006 American Chemical Society National Meeting, pinolenic acid diet supplements resulted in a 36 percent food intake reduction in overweight women. In fact, in Siberia, a handful of pine nuts is often taken with a meal to create a sense of fullness.

3. Fruits and Vegetables: Your mother always told you to eat your fruits and veggies, and for good reason—both are not only high in nutrients but also high in fiber, which promotes a sense of fullness. Among fruits, apples, berries, grapefruits, and bananas all contain large amounts of fiber and water, while vegetables like artichokes, peas, broccoli, corn, carrots, and spinach are all packed with the diet-friendly substance. The best way to fight hunger with fruits and veggies? Make a salad. A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that women who ate a simple 100-calorie salad before dinner consumed 12 percent less calories during the entire meal! Just make sure to opt for a low-calorie dressing!

4. Lean Protein: New research has found that lean protein helps with fullness and hunger satisfaction, perhaps explaining why high-protein diets are effective for weight loss. However, health-conscious people be wary: make sure to look for sources of protein that are low in fat like fish, poultry, soybeans, eggs, cheese, yogurt, and milk.  Lean protein may be especially effective at fighting hunger when eaten at breakfast, with scientists from Pennington Biomedical Research Center finding that overweight women who had two eggs for breakfast (five times a week over eight weeks) lost 65 percent more weight than women who ate bagels for breakfast. Omelettes filled with veggies and low-fat cheese and low-fat yogurt parfaits made with fresh fruit and granola are great options for a filling, hunger-fighting breakfast!

5. Dietary fats: Consuming fat to lose weight might seem counterintuitive—but in fact, healthy fats are an essential part of your diet and can help increase satiation. Fats suppress your appetite by affecting appetite hormones and signaling to the brain that the body is full. The key here is understanding what constitutes a “healthy” fat: polysaturated and monosaturated fats are the ones you’re looking for. These good fats are abundant in avocados, nuts, olive oil, whole-grain wheat, cereal, and oatmeal. Be sure to avoid consuming saturated fats and transfats commonly found in red meat and packaged foods. If you’re looking for a mid-day snack to get you through your afternoon slump, try fresh avocado on a slice of toasted whole-wheat bread or a handful of almonds!

For more information: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/5-foods-that-curb-your-appetite-2511529/

What's your sex number?

The average number of partners women have in their lifetime is 10.5. What does your number say about you?

More partners, less marriage
New research shows that the more partners and exes a woman has had, the lower her chances of getting married.  Women most likely to get married have an average of 10.5, while women with over 20 partners may have missed “the one.”

Dust off those little black books, open up those yearbooks, and start counting! "The Bad Boy?" He counts. "The Athlete," that’s two.  While dating different types of guys helps narrow down which qualities you’re looking for in a man, too many can be a problem. Less than 5? You’re testing the waters and learning about yourself. Now’s the time to really pay attention to what turns you on, and more importantly, who doesn’t!

What does your number say about you?

• 5-10?  You’re not alone - most women aged 18-35 fall into this range. You’ve been around the block and you’re starting to get a good idea of what you want in a man. Maybe the one you’re with is the one for you!
• 10-20? So you were a bit more adventurous. If you’re looking to eventually settle down, studies show that now’s the time to find "The One." Quit dragging your feet and start dropping some hints!
•  More than 20? Life’s been a party! Marriage may not be in your future, but don’t worry – you secretly make the rest of us very jealous!

How does everyone feel about this article?  Is this information accurate?  Maybe....or maybe not.

For more information: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/whats-your-sex-number-2512569/

The Best Way to Wake Up: Sun Salutation

Have you ever been in bed when the alarm goes off and you stretch your arms as far as you possibly can? To me, waking up and stretching is the ultimate way to start the day. It simply tells the body that it has had enough sleep, and now it's time to seize the day. What a better way than to start the day with the sun salutation?

For more information check out The Yoga Lotus: http://theyogalotus.blogspot.com/p/sun-salutation.html

Fact of the Day! How Much Exercise Do You Really Need?

Recent health headlines tell us that women need to exercise for an hour each day to avoid gaining weight! An hour? Every day? Seriously? That's 7 hours a week! Surely that can't be. Previous recommendations have urged us to exercise 150 minutes a week, which works out to 2 ½ hours weekly.

And we do still need that much every week, but for other health benefits. The federal government recommends that we get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week. This "consistently reduces the risk of many chronic diseases and other adverse health outcomes," according to a major 2008 guideline from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

While it is great to reduce one's risk of chronic disease, this amount may not be enough to ward off the extra weight that people typically gain as they age. In a recent study, researchers followed more than 34,000 healthy American women, who were roughly 54 years old. While following their usual diet, the women gained an average of 5.7 pounds over the next 13 years. The researchers found that the women who kept a normal weight did so with a lot of physical activity.

The women who got 420 minutes (which is 7 hours) of physical activity a week gained significantly less weight than the women who got less activity. Interestingly, the 420 number seemed to be a tipping point: Women who did 150 to fewer than 420 minutes of weekly activity gained as much weight as those who were physically active for fewer than 150 minutes!

Another interesting finding was that the relationship between more physical activity and less weight gain was seen only in women with a normal weight. This connection didn't hold for women who were already overweight or obese.

The take-home message? To keep weight off, you have to keep moving. 150 minutes a week? Nah. Let's make it 420…minimum.

For more information: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/how-much-exercise-do-you-really-need-2511806/

Top 5 Beauty Products: Eyes, Lips & Cheeks

The Best Beauty Products: Eyes, Lips & Cheeks

Shu Uemura Mascara Basic, $27.50 The calligraphy-ink-derived formula ensures dark, clump-free, 

nonspidery lashes.

Tarte Cheek Stain, $30 Genius gel stick that blends easily, then turns into a long-lasting glowing blush.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $17 Like cement for your smoky eye, this silky bass prevencreasing and makeup meltdown.

YSL Touche éclat, $40 A morning-after must, the original highlighting pen creates a lit-from-within glow and camouflages fine lines and dark circles.

 

 

 

Dior Lip Glow, $28 An SPF 10 balm that goes on clear, then transforms on lips into a sheer flush of color.

For more information: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/15-best-beauty-products-of-all-time-2510656/

I'm BACK! Britney Spears Concert and More!

So, it has been a while, but I'm glad to be back and blogging again! One of the main things that has prompted me to start blogging again is that I stopped sending out my Fact/Thought/Word of the Day due to a terrible breakup. I miss doing those on a daily basis, so I will start posting them here instead of though email subscription as I used to. Now on to Britney....

Kris decided to surprise me for an early birthday present with 6th row Britney Spears/Nicki Minaj tickets! I was like a kid all day last Friday, July 15th, counting down the moments to see Britney.

Kris picked me up at 3:30pm on Friday afternoon.  We went to Ricochet's in Prairieville to grab a drink and then headed to New Orleans.  It was so exciting to finally get to the New Orleans Arena.

We actually scored an amazing parking place and walked to get into the arena.

Within a few minutes, we got to see Nicki Minaj perform.  She was really good and exciting to watch!

Then the countdown to Britney began....

I was never so excited when the countdown finally came down to 10 seconds, "It's Britney Bitch!" 

Britney performed an amzing set list: (1) Hold It Against Me (2) Up N' Down (3) 3 (4) Piece of Me (5) How I Roll (6) Big Fat Bass (7) Lace and Leather (8) If You Seek Amy (9) Gimme More (10) Drop Dead Beautiful (11) He About To Lose Me (12) Boys (Remix) (13) Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know (14) Baby One More Time/Oops I Did It Again (15) S&M (16) Trouble For Me (17) I'm A Slave For You (18) Burning Up (Madonna Cover) (19) I Wanna Go (20) Womanizer (21) Toxic (22) Till The World Ends

For a clip of the show visit my YouTube Channel aimeemcknz: http://www.youtube.com/user/aimeemcknz?feature=mhee#p/u/0/vHsW4lycxrc